THE
 
SËIR MUTAQHERIN
 
OR
 
REVIEW OF MODERN TIMES:
 
BEING AN
 
HISTORY OF INDIA
 
FROM THE YEAR 1118, TO THE YEAR 1194, OF THE HEDJRAH.
 
VOL. IV
 
SECTION XVII.
 
CONTENTS.

Ravages by the Syks, who set up an Emperor of their own —They are defeated in a bloody battle by the Abdalies, or D8rranies, who repair to Cashmir, which they reconquer upon a Syk adventurer—Valuable character of this man—Who proves a man of letters and a beneficent Prince—Notice of five Cash­mirian Poets and Litterati, who are ordered by him to compile from records a history of Cashmir—A curious historical account of the Marhatta nation from its origin—Singular pre­tensions of its ancient Princes—Bhosselah, the father of the present Marhatta Emperors—Sevadji, his son, assumes indepen­dence —Is obliged to submit—Rises again and establishes a tribute all over the Decan—Conquests of the Marhattas—Wars and conquests of Badji-räo, who leaves his office of Generlissimo to his son, Baladji-räo—Mighty change in that Empire, where the name of Monarch remains with the old family, which was nilitary, whilst the power passes to another, which is sacerdotal —Insatiable ambition of the Marhattas—Their singular penuri­ous way of life—Their singular customs and tempers—The author resumes his history of Hindostan—Mir-cassem-qhan takes shelter in Shudjah-ed-döwlah’s dominions—Events which become the consequences of it—Some account of Shah-aalem’s Court— Account of S8r8dj-mull, the Djatt-Prince, a man of singular abilities—He disciplines a body of Cavalry after a method of his own—War between him and Nedjib-ed-döwlah—Battle— S8r8dj-mull slain in a sigular manner—Dissensions in his family—Good character of Nedjib-ed-dowlah, and very bad one of his countrymen—He is succeeded by Zabeth-qhan, a Prince of good character—Shah-aalem resolves to repair to the Capital of India—Opposed by the English and by his Ministers, parts willingly with his present well-being—Seizes by the way on a rich succession—Is supported by the Marhattas—Arrives in his Capital—Is vigorously supported by a new man, his General, Mirza Nedjef-qhan—Who is himself in great danger from Court intrigues—He regains the Emperor’s favour—Who resolves to dispossess the Rohillhas of their conquests—Nedjef-qhan crosses the Ganga, and overcomes the Rohillahs—Who abandon their strong post, plunder each other, and disperse—Zabeta-qhan undone—Peace—The Marhattas retire—Nedjef-qhan pro­jects conquests—Gains a victory—Takes Ecber-abad-agra—Shud­jah-ed-döwlah avails himself of the losses of the Rohillahs to put an end to their dominion—Sends a message to their Princes —It is not attended to—Decisive battle at Banra, in which the Rohillahs are undone—Bravery of their General, Hafyz-rahmet —Shudjah-ed-dowla takes possession of their whole country— Fate of the Rohillah Princes—The treaty of the English with Shudjah-ed-döwlah highly censured in Europe—Alliance between Shudjah-ed-döwlah and Nedjef-qhan, followed by a treaty of partition between them—Shudjah-ed-döwlah prepares to enjoy his conquests, but is snatched away by a painful death—Remarks on the singular dispensations of Providence—His character highly reprehensible—He confiscates all the charity-lands—Shews a continual disregard to the honour and property of his subjects, and yet proves to be highly regretted—Strange precipitation of his son, Assef-ed-döwlah, (alias Mirza Amani) in seizing the throne—Installed on it by two English officers—The new Prince betrays a character monstrously vile—Heroical behaviour of one Mir Bahadyr-aaly—Moqhtar-ed-döwlah, Minister of State— Arrival of General Clavering, Colonel Mo??son, and Mr. Frances from Europe—Djan Brishtoo (John Bristow) appointed Resi­dent at Lucknow, instead of Middleton—Senseless conduct of Assef-ed-döwlah, who disbands his father’s disciplined troops, and discards his best servants—The principal military officer think of providing for themselves—Bessent-qhan, an eunuch, one of them, offers to murder the Prime Minister—Murders him—And is dispatched himself—Saadet-aaly, brother to Assef-ed-döwlah, being deeply involved in a complot, makes his escape, himself the sixth—Is handsomely received by Nedjef-qhan—The English concerned in kidnapping another Commander—Mah­b8b-aaly-qhan served in the same manner, as is Letafet-aaly-qhan —The author quits his subject to give an historical account of himself, family, connections, &c.—The author resumes his narrative of public events—Iredj-qhan, Prime Minister at Lucknow—A worthless slave-boy, one of the vilest kind, made a Generalissimo—The Prime Minister dies—Is succeeded by Hassen-reza-qhan, a man who loves his pleasure above all things.